Cook

Hike Inn

The Len Foote Hike Inn is a LEED certified Georgia State Park facility nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains of Chattahoochee National Forest, located 5-miles by trail north of Amicalola Falls State Park and 4.4-miles from Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. 

The Hike Inn is looking for a full-time cook to join our small team well-known for providing exceptional guest services and welcoming hospitality. This is a year round, live-on site, permanent position that provides a unique opportunity to live and work in a Southern Appalachian mountain wilderness setting. Housing and meals are available for staff.

A hike on its own is a fine thing to do. A backcountry inn by itself is a special place to visit. Combine the two and something truly unique happens. Join the Hike Inn staff and experience the combination of hiking, living and working in the beautiful north Georgia Blue Ridge mountains - with a trail to the Appalachian Trail out your front door!

Job description

From experienced Appalachian Trail “thru-hikers” to the novice first timer -  whether families, couples, or individuals - our guests enjoy a unique getaway stay at the Hike Inn. Our mission is to facilitate a connection with nature, conservation and sustainability and to protect Georgia’s natural resources through education and recreation. A visit to the Hike Inn inspires a love for hiking, nature and environmental stewardship.

The Hike Inn has a long standing tradition of serving delicious, hearty dinners and breakfasts family-style for guests. Cooks are responsible for preparation and serving meals and the cleaning of the kitchen and dining hall facility. Trail lunches guests have ordered are prepared in the morning; hot lunches are prepared for Hike Inn staff only. The Hike Inn has 20 bunkrooms to accommodate up to 40 overnight guests.

The kitchen is open to the dining hall and applicants should be hospitality orientated, feeling comfortable conversing with and assisting guests. We are looking for hard workers with great attitudes. As a small staff that live and work together, we become a close knit ‘family’ supporting each other to accomplish tasks. As the Hike Inn is in a remote location, the position of Cook requires the employee to ‘Live on Site’. A comfortable private room in shared housing and meals are provided. The Hike Inn operates year-round.

If you are conservation minded, enjoy people, and like working and living in an area surrounded by nature, this position may be for you. We are a small, close-knit staff who share a common interest in hiking and the outdoors. Over a dozen staff have thru-hiked the AT before or after their time at the Hike Inn, as well as few who also went onto thru-hike the PCT. A long trail right out the front door is a fine thing to have. There is a wide variety of outdoor and recreational opportunities in the area, such as mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking and trout fishing. Our great staff is the key to Hike Inn guests having a positive experience. We work hard, have a lot of fun, and love what we do. Join us!

Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide exceptional service and welcoming hospitality to guests.
• Set up and break down the kitchen, dish room and dining room.
• Prepare and serve delicious, hot meals at established times. 
• Maintain kitchen and dining room cleanliness.
• Follow all safety and health codes when handling, preparing and storing food.
• Provide assistance for inventories and ordering of food and supplies on a weekly basis.
• Assist the Kitchen Manager in creating appropriate menus.
• Actively participate in recycling and composting programs.

Skills and Qualifications

• Prior kitchen experience preferred, however, will train as necessary.
• Ability to follow menu, sanitation procedures and instructions as needed.
• Exceptional customer service skills. 
• Ability to work as a team with excellent communication skills.

Compensation:  Starting wages at $14-17 per hour based on experience + tips, which may be up to an additional $3 per hour.

Benefits: A comfortable private room in shared housing is provided for one individual. Rent, utilities and meals are included.  Health plan and matching retirement is available after 90 days. Paid vacation after one year.  We are unable to accommodate pets and dependents/non-employees.